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diff --git a/ipl/docs/polywalk.txt b/ipl/docs/polywalk.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8310e79 --- /dev/null +++ b/ipl/docs/polywalk.txt @@ -0,0 +1,60 @@ +1.0 Introduction +---------------- + This is a short walkthrough of the polydemo program, with examples of +the use of all of the available commands. I am assuming that you have +already looked at the header of the source code of polydemo, which describes +the options available in the polydemo. + When a series of commands or entries must be given, they will be listed +here separated by commas. Each entry in such a list should be followed by +pressing Return or Enter. Single-letter commands must always be followed +with Enter as well. The case of any letter is ignored. + +2.0 Preparing the polydemo program +---------------------------------- + Polydemo requires the library polystuf, also included on this disk. To +set up polydemo for running, first translate polystuf into ucode files with + ICONT -c polystuf +and then translate polydemo with + ICONT polydemo +after which you can run polydemo in whatever manner your system allows. + +3.0 A sample run +---------------- + Let's say we had to perform the following: find the result of evaluating + 4 3.1 0.7 5 4 + (9x + 6x + 5 - 3x ) - (12x - 4.2x + x) at x = 2.2. + Start the polydemo program. A menu of options will be displayed, as +will the slots that are filled (none yet) and a prompt containing valid +characters corresponding to the options. Enter R to read in a polynomial from +the keyboard, then give A as the slot of the first polynomial. Enter these +numbers: 9, 4, 6, 3.1, 5, 0, -3, 0.7, 0. Now, the first polynomial will be +stored in slot "a." Note that the 0 is necessary after the 5 to use a +constant term, and that the 0 at the end is for stopping data entry. + A similar process can be used for the second polynomial. Inputting +R, B, 12, 5, -4.2, 4, 1, 1, 0 will place that polynomial in slot "b." + Now, check to make sure you've entered the polynomials correctly. Type +W for "write" and A for slot "a," to display the first polynomial on the +screen. It should appear as 9x^4 + 6x^3.1 + -3x^0.7 + 5. Do the same for +the second polynomial (replacing the A with a B). The output should be +12x^5 + -4.2x^4 + x. + To find their difference, enter S for subtract, then A, B to indicate +those two polynomials, then C as a slot for the answer. Note that the result +isn't immediately displayed; you must use W, C for that. The answer should +be -12x^5 + 13.2x^4 + 6x^3.1 + -x + -3x^0.7 + 5. + Finally, to evaluate this polynomial at x = 2.2, type E for evaluate, +C for the slot in which that polynomial is held, then 2.2 for the x-value. +You should receive the message "The result is -242.498468213815," or something +similar, depending on the precision of real numbers in your implementation of +Icon. + The Add and Multiply commands are invoked similarly to the Subtract +command. The Clear option allows you to empty a slot, making room for a new +polynomial. This is necessary because you cannot overwrite an existing +polynomial. Asking for Help displays the list of options and the letters +needed to access them. Lastly, using Quit exits the program. + It would be good to test operations in which one or both polynomials +are zero. A zero polynomial is made when, during entry, a 0 is the first and +only coefficient given, or when it is the result of an operation. Also, to +make sure no "1x", "-1x" or "x^1" appears in a written polynomial (these +should be "x", "-x", and "x," respectively), try working with polynomials that +have these terms. + |